GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany Georgia pulled off one of the biggest upsets in European Championship history on Wednesday, beating Portugal 2-0 to advance to the round of 16.
The Georgians needed a victory to reach the knockout stages of Euro 2024 and scored the first goal after just 93 seconds. Georges Mikautadze intercepted a poor pass and set up Khvicha Kvaratskelia to score with a low shot.
António Silva lost the ball before the first goal and scored a penalty for the second, tripping Luka Lochoshvili inside the penalty area. Georges Mikautadze took a low shot past Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 57th minute.
“We can fight everyone,” said Kvaratskhelia. “I’m very proud.”
Georgia advanced in its major tournament debut as a top third seed. Portugal had already qualified from Group F after winning their first two games.
Portuguese great Cristiano Ronaldo, who felt he deserved a penalty in the first half, kicked away a water bottle as he was substituted in the 66th minute.
Ronaldo was yellow carded for his protests after his penalty appeal was rejected. He wanted the decision after his shirt was pulled in the box by Lochoshvili’s cross.
With Portugal already qualified, Ronaldo was one of only three players kept in the lineup from the previous match 3-0 victory over Turkeyalong with Costa and midfielder João Palhinha.
Portugal created little in the second half as Georgia’s defense sat back, but the 2016 champions had opportunities in stoppage time. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili kept Georgia’s two-goal lead intact, with saves from Nélson Semedo and Diogo Dalot, while Francisco Conceição narrowly missed the target.
At the final whistle, Georgia’s players ran out of the dugout to hug Mamardashvili and jumped for joy in front of their noisy fans.
Türkiye beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in the other group game. The Turks also advanced while the Czechs were eliminated.
Georgia’s victory also eliminated Hungary, who finished third in Group A.
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